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United States and Europe Renew Agreement on International Energy Efficiency

(Washington, D.C. - Dec. 20, 2006) The United States and the countries of the European Community today renewed their agreement on the energy efficiency of office equipment products using the government's Energy Star label.

Specifically, the agreement calls for the use of Energy Star labeling on office equipment in European markets and that the United States imports, including computers, monitors, printers, copiers, fax machines and scanners, with other products possibly added in the future.

"Energy Star is one of the most recognizable brands in America. The renewal of this agreement even more firmly establishes Energy Star as the international symbol for energy efficiency," said EPA Deputy Administrator Marcus Peacock.

The agreement includes recently revised and more challenging technical specifications for imaging equipment and computers that will result in improved efficiency across all modes of operation. They also require the use of highly efficient power supplies.

The agreement was signed at a ceremony by Peacock, the Ambassador John Bruton of the Delegation of the European Commission in Washington, and Finnish Ambassador Pekka Lintu. The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union.

Combined these new specifications will save American households more than $4 billion over the next 5 years and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the emissions of more than 6 million cars, with additional energy and environmental benefits possible in the European Union. The renewal of this agreement also lends even greater authority to other nations' efforts to stimulate the market for energy efficient products.

The United States and the European Community first signed the agreement in 2000.